Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart Page A

activity.”
    “I never doubted that.” Mrs. Wigginham smiled and laid her hand on his arm. “Now don’t think you have to dance attendance on me. You can go capture one of the young beauties.”
    “I fear none of them are as entertaining as you, dear lady.”
    “You have a silver tongue, Mr. Garrett, and you should be ashamed, using it on an old lady like me.” She laughed with pleasure. “But please don’t stop.”
    Blake managed to hold his smile in place. Underneath all those layers of social fluff was a shrewd old lady who knew more about the people of Louisville than anyone else was ever likely to know, and most of the time he enjoyed talking to her. But there were times when he wearied of the social games.
    A stir at the door caught his attention. An odd hush fell over the double parlors for just a second as a new couple entered before a buzz of whispers circled the room.
    “Our couple of note today,” Mrs. Wigginham said. “It’s supposed to be a secret, but everyone here has already heard they plan to announce their engagement this evening. They do make a lovely pair, don’t you think?”
    Blake didn’t answer. His eyes were still on the girl in her rather plain reddish dress. There was something different about her as she surveyed the room quickly, her eyes resting for a moment on Mrs. Wigginham but passing almost without notice across him. When she turned to allow her escort to help her off with her cloak, her dark hair spilled carelessly down her back as if she hadn’t had time to properly arrange it. The man spoke into her ear, and the girl pulled up a smile that looked somewhat forced as they turned to face the people.
    “She’s beautiful,” Blake said.
    He didn’t realize he’d spoken aloud until Mrs. Wigginham looked at him with raised eyebrows. “So she is. But I fear young Stanley Jimson has gotten rather more than he bargained for when he bargained for our dear Adriane’s hand in marriage. And his mother has quite taken to her bed.” Mrs. Wigginham’s smile became a chuckle. “The whole situation is just too delightful.”
    “Stanley Jimson?” Blake watched the man tucking the girl’s hand under his arm. He’d met Stanley, a pale shadow of his father, Coleman Jimson, who was being advanced as the Know Nothing candidate for state senate. Coleman Jimson had come to the Herald early on courting Blake’s support. Blake hadn’t trusted the man then and nothing he’d seen or heard since had caused him to change his mind. But he was treading softly. Coleman Jimson was a powerful man with an army of friends, and Blake wanted to have his facts rock solid before he took him on in the paper. He had time. The election for state senator was not until August.
    “You surely know Stanley.” Mrs. Wigginham was taking obvious delight in sharing every detail with Blake. “He’s at all the socials, quite the life of the party if the ladies can talk him into playing the piano for them.”
    “I’ve met him, but not the young lady with him.”
    “You’re impressed.” Mrs. Wigginham’s smile lit up her eyes as she touched her lips with her handkerchief. “The first woman in Louisville to impress you turns out to be none other than Adriane Darcy. This is getting more delightful by the moment.”
    “Darcy?”
    “Oh yes, my dear boy. Wade Darcy’s beautiful, opinionated daughter. The volumes I could tell you about that girl and the unorthodox way Wade has raised her. They say she’s been setting type since she was ten, and was never properly educated. I doubt she even knows how to do needlework or play the piano.”
    “I suppose young Stanley can do that. Play the piano, I mean.”
    “Now, Mr. Garrett, don’t be naughty.” Mrs. Wigginham reached over to give his arm a little shake as though to upbraid him before she went on, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Stanley is a very sweet young man. Always gallant, especially to his mother.”
    “Who is not so happy over the upcoming